Gus Van Sant : A Tribute

Right, I just wrote a 500 word review, posted it and the the hotmail link just expired, so i'm fuming right now. I can't really be bothered to pepper this review with funny anecdotes and quirky history lessons but let me just say, the film's pretty damn good. You probably know it's about drugs, but it's really not. It's about Matt Dillon being the coolest cat of the 80's in this wonderfully moving film about a druggie and his pals. And unlike Elephant it's not cold or distant, or seeped in sentimentality like Good Will Hunting, here it's pure unfettered emotion. Our 'hero' goes on a journey and in a sense so do we. This isn't a one note film nor does it glamourise the drug scene, it's darkly funny and very moving and for once, you give a crap about the characters and their lives without the need for special effects, ticking time bombs and car chases (not that there's anything wrong with that). Matt Dillon is simply sublime as Bob and so is his supporting cast, Van Sant is famous for directing so called 'pretty boys' and here he commands with considerable flair. I'm not one to rave about a film, but this one's pretty damn good. Catch it...but watch out for the hat.